Cassette for storing, moving and loading optical storage disk cartridges

ABSTRACT

A mass loader stores a plurality of cartridges for loading a selected one of the cartridges into an optical disk reader. The loader comprises a magazine carrier and a cartridge loading apparatus. The cartridges are stored in a vertical and parallel orientation within slots in a magazine which is then inserted into the magazine carrier. The magazine carrier depends from a follower nut which travels along a lead screw in a direction transverse to the parallel orientation of the cartridges. As the leadscrew turns, the follower nut travels therealong to move the magazine into the correct position to load the selected one of the cartridges into the reader. After the magazine is properly positioned, another lead screw is driven to propel another follower nut therealong. The follower nut has a loading pin protruding therefrom which engages the selected one of the cartridges for loading. The leadscrew is then driven to propel the cartridge via the pin on the follower nut into the reader.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to optical storage disk devices, andin particular to an apparatus for storing, moving and loading aplurality of optical storage disks and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic data storage devices such as magnetic disk readers, opticaldisk readers and tape readers are generally more efficient when providedwith some type of automated apparatus for inserting, removing andstoring the disks or tapes. In some cases, elevator type devices such asare found in jukeboxes have been used to load and unload the disks ortapes. Unfortunately, the jukebox type device is designed to maximizecapacity rather than efficiency. Thus, it is usually necessary to gothrough an entire sequence of selecting from storage, moving to areader, loading into the reader, reading, unloading and moving back tostorage before a different selection may be made. Additionally, ajukebox type changing device is usually large and complex withassociated high cost. Thus in an environment where high dataproductivity and low cost are important, the elevator type device isinadequate.

One alternative to the elevator type device is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,271,489 to Siryj et al., Jun. 2, 1981, and U.S. Pat. No.4,286,790, to Siryj et al., Sep. 1, 1981. In the Siryj patents, amagazine rack holds a plurality of optical disks in a verticalorientation. A changer, which travels parallel to the magazine rack,secures one disk from the magazine rack and transfers the disk to areading position. The changer moves along a ball screw to the properposition for selecting a disk to be used from the stationary magazine.The changer secures the disk from the magazine and places it in a changeposition while travelling into alignment with the reader. The changerthen inserts the disk into the reader which scans the data from thedisk. Unfortunately, the Siryj device is complex with many moving partsand must be operated as a complete unit in conjunction with a specialreader.

Another type of automatic changer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,519,055 to Gilson, May 21, 1985. The Gilson device comprises acarousel type cartridge storage module. In the center of the module, achanger rotates to select any one of the cartridges for reading. Afterselecting and gripping a cartridge, the changer moves the cartridge, inconjunction with a carrier to a reader below the storage module forscanning. Thus the cartridges must be moved horizontally from a storageposition to a changing position and then vertically from the changingposition to a reading/scanning position. The Gilson device, like theSiryj device, is fairly complex and must generally be operated as acomplete unit with an included reader. Thus there is a need for a methodand apparatus that is simple in operation and may, if desired, beadapted for use with a variety of reading devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein describes a method and apparatusfor storing, moving and loading a plurality of optical storage diskswhich eliminates or substantially reduces problems associated with priorstoring, moving and loading devices. The present invention allows thestoring, moving and loading of optical storage disks with a relativelysimple device constructed integrally with an optical reader or which maybe added to an existing optical disk reader, if desired.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a magazine stores aplurality of optical storage disks each in a cartridge in a vertical andparallel orientation. The magazine comprises a removable container whichmay be transported as a separate unit having open front and rear endsfor inserting and removing the cartridges. Linear slots are providedalong a bottom of the container for receiving an upwardly protrudingloading pin. The upwardly protruding pin is connected to a cartridgeloading device which secures a single selected cartridge and inserts thecartridge into an optical storage disk reader.

The loading device comprises a lead screw which is motor driven by abelt. A follower nut to which the protruding pin is attached travelsalong the lead screw as the motor turns the lead screw. A channel isprovided for the follower nut to travel within to prevent rotationthereof. At both ends of the lead screw, the follower nut fits intocutouts in the channel to allow the follower nut and the protruding pinto rotate out of contact with the cartridge. This rotation at one endallows insertion of the cartridges into the magazine as well asinsertion of the magazine into a device for moving the magazine. At theother end, the rotation allows isolation of the reader from the loadingdevice (the reader contains anti-shock devices, whereas the loadingdevice does not).

The magazine hangs from a magazine carrier which is driven by a movingdevice. After the magazine is loaded into the carrier, a signal may betransmitted electrically to the moving device to move the carrier andthus the magazine in a direction perpendicular to the cartridge loadingdevice. When the correct cartridge for loading is positioned over theloading device, the moving device stops the magazine carrier and thecartridge loading device is activated. The upwardly protruding pin onthe follower nut is rotated into a slot in the optical storage diskcartridge, and, as the lead screw drives the follower nut therealong,the protruding pin takes the cartridge with it. After inserting thecartridge into the optical storage reader, the follower nut is turnedaside to remove the protruding pin from the cartridge.

It is a technical advantage of the present invention that opticalstorage disk cartridges may be loaded in a vertical orientation into areader without complex mechanisms such as an elevator. It is also atechnical advantage of the present invention that a magazine containinga plurality of optical storage disk cartridges may be provided as anattachment to an existing optical storage disk reader.

It is a further advantage in that the present invention allows the useof a separate removable magazine which may be easily transported. Thepresent invention is compact in design and compares favorably to a jukebox device of similar capacity. It is a still further advantage of thepresent invention in that the magazine may be removed from the loadingdevice for loading cartridges away from the optical reader. Thisprovides the ability to use one magazine while another is removed forloading of different cartridges. The magazine may optionally be loadedwhile positioned in the magazine carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and forfurther advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingDetailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an optical disk reader incorporating theapparatus for storing, moving and loading optical storage diskcartridges in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view along line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded isometric view of the magazine of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view, partially cut-away, of the magazine andtransporter mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a portion of the magazine carrier;

FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of the top slide of FIG. 10

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the magazine ejection assembly with amagazine loaded; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the magazine ejection assembly with amagazine being ejected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-13, like items are identified by like and correspondingnumerals for ease of reference. Referring first to FIG. 1, a mass loaderconstructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is generally identified by the reference numeral 10. The massloader 10 may be fixed by any appropriate method to an optical storagedisk reader generally identified by the reference numeral 12. The massloader 10 allows the storing, moving and loading of a plurality ofoptical storage disk cartridges 14.

The optical storage reader 12 is preferably of the type which allows thesimultaneous reading of both sides of an optical disk. By combining themass loader 10 of the present invention with a dual side optical reader,it is possible to eliminate the need for a complex and bulky elevator.Although the preferred embodiment is described for use with a dual sidereader, it is to be understood that use with other types of readers willstill allow some of the advantages herein disclosed.

The cartridges 14 are stored in a magazine 16 in a parallel and verticalorientation with the magazine 16 depending from a magazine carrier 18.The magazine carrier 18 moves the magazine 16 in a direction indicatedby an arrow 20, generally perpendicular to the parallel orientation ofthe cartridges 14, as will be subsequently described in greater detail.

The magazine 16 is positioned by the magazine carrier 18 to allowloading of the cartridge 14, into the optical disk reader 12. As will besubsequently described in greater detail, one of the cartridges 14 isselected by a cartridge loading apparatus 28 (FIG. 2) and inserted intothe reader 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view along the line 2--2 of FIG.1 is shown. One of the cartridges 14 is shown in a load positionproperly aligned with the optical reader 12. The reader 12 may beprovided with guide rails 22 and 24 to guide and hold the cartridge 14within the reader 12. The reader 12 may also have a drive motor andspindle assembly which is generally indicated by the reference numeral26. Upon insertion of the cartridge 14 into the reader 12, the drivemotor and spindle assembly 26 provide rotational motion to a disk (notshown) within the cartridge 14 in order to obtain data therefrom.

The cartridge loading apparatus 28 is provided to load the selectedcartridge 14 into the reader 12. The loading apparatus 28 comprises afirst lead screw 30 and a follower nut 32. The lead screw 30 issupported by a bracket and channel assembly 34 (only shown partially inFIG. 2 for the sake of simplicity), as will be subsequently described ingreater detail. The lead screw 30 is rotationally driven by anyappropriate method, such as a drive pulley 36, a drive belt 38 and amotor 39 (FIG. 3).

To load the cartridge 14 into the reader 12, the magazine carrier 18 ispositioned to place the selected cartridge 14 in the loading position. Aloading pin 40 on the follower nut 32 is rotated into a slot 42 in thecartridge 14. The lead screw 30 then turns through the action of themotor 39, the belt 38 and the pulley 36 to drive the follower nut 32therealong moving the cartridge 14 with the pin 40. After the cartridge14 is loaded into the reader 12, the follower nut 32 is turned to allowthe loading pin 40 to be rotated out of the slot 42 of the cartridge 14,as will be subsequently described in greater detail. After the opticalreader 12 has obtained the required data on the disk within thecartridge 14, an unload sequence generally opposite the load sequencejust described is initiated.

A cartridge retaining assembly generally identified by the referencenumeral 44 is provided to hold the cartridges 14 within the magazine 16.As will be subsequently described in greater detail, the assembly 44 isbiased toward the cartridge 14 to place a bar 46 within a slot 48 in thecartridge 14 directly opposite the slot 42 previously described (thusallowing the cartridges 14 to be loaded into the magazine 16 on eitherend thereof). As the magazine 16 is loaded into the magazine carrier 18,the bar 46 is removed from the slot 48 (by means not shown in FIG. 2)allowing the cartridges 14 to be inserted into and removed from themagazine 16.

The magazine carrier 18 is driven along a second lead screw 50 by afollower nut 52 which is fixed to a top surface 54 of the magazinecarrier 18 by any appropriate method, such as welding. The lead screw 50may be driven by any appropriate means such as a drive belt 56 and amotor 58. A guide bar 60 is provided to help balance and support themagazine carrier 18 during its movement by the action of the lead screw50. The guide bar 60 travels through at least one pillow block 62 fixedto the top surface 54 of the carrier 18 and is supported by sidewalls ofa case 66 (FIG. 1) which enclose the magazine carrier 18 and themagazine 16. To place a cartridge 14 into the loading position, themotor 58 drives the lead screw 50 causing the follower nut 52 and themagazine carrier 18 to travel therealong, thus moving the magazine 16 inthe direction 20 (FIG. 1) perpendicular to the cartridges 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, an end elevation along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 isshown in which the case 66 can be seen to enclose the magazine carrier18 and the magazine 16. The guide bar 60, which is supported by thesidewalls of the case 66, helps guide the magazine carrier 18 during itstravel. In the preferred embodiment, the guide bar 60 is interconnectedto the magazine carrier 18 by two pillow blocks 62. The magazine 16comprises a first sidewall 68, a second sidewall 70, a top 72 and abottom 74. Protrusions 76 extend toward each other from the top 72 andthe bottom 74 of the magazine 16 to form guide channels 78 therebetweenfor receiving and guiding the cartridges 14.

In operation, a plurality of cartridges 14 are loaded into the magazine16 which may or may not yet be loaded into the magazine carrier 18. Eachcartridge 14 is fit into one of the guide channels 78 and slidablyinserted until the slot 48 is aligned with the bar 46 (FIG. 2). Thecartridge retaining assembly 44 which was lifted to remove the bar 46from obstructing the insertion of the cartridge 14 is released to insertthe bar 46 into the slot 48. This sequence is repeated until as many ofthe channels 78 are filled as desired with cartridges 14 which are thenretained within the magazine 16 by the bar 46. The magazine 16 is thenloaded into the magazine carrier 18, as will be subsequently describedin greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view along the line 4--4 of FIG.2 is shown. The lead screw 50 which drives the magazine carrier 18 andthe magazine 16 perpendicular to the cartridges 14 is rotationallyattached at opposite ends thereof to the case 66. The drive motor 58drives the belt 56, a drive pulley 80 and the lead screw 50 which causesthe follower nut 52 to travel therealong. Since the follower nut 52 isfixed to the top surface 54 of the magazine carrier 18, the magazinecarrier 18 travels therewith.

The follower nut 32 of the cartridge loading apparatus 28 is shown withthe loading pin 40 inserted into an opening 82 which is centrallylocated between the protrusions 76 in the guide channels 78 to allow thefollower nut 32 to pull a cartridge 14 therealong. The bracket andchannel assembly 34 has a first sidewall 84 and a second sidewall 86between which the follower nut 32 runs. As the lead screw 30 turns, thefollower nut 32 runs therealong within the bracket and channel assembly34 which prevents the follower nut 32 from turning aside.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, there is sufficient room betweenthe sidewalls of the case 66 to allow the magazine 16 to move to placeeach of the cartridges 14 into the loading position directly over thelead screw 32 regardless of their position within the magazine 16. Themotor 58 is therefore reversible to drive the magazine 16 and themagazine carrier 18 back-and-forth along the lead screw 50.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view along the line 5--5 of FIG.3 is shown. The protrusions 76 run the length L of the magazine 16 toform the guide channels 78 therebetween. The first sidewall 68 and thesecond sidewall 70 of the magazine 16 form with the protrusions 76 theexterior most guide channels 78. The openings 82 are formed within theguide channels 78 between the protrusions 76 running the length thereofto allow removal and insertion of the cartridge 14 by the loading pin40. Proximate the rear edge 88 of the magazine 16 there are a pluralityof sensors 90 which provide data to a controller (not shown) indicatingwhether a cartridge 14 is present within the guide channels 78.Proximate the sensors 90 are retaining springs 92 which help keep thecartridges 14 within the magazine 16 without preventing insertion orremoval thereof when the bar 46 is removed from the slots 48.

Referring to FIG. 6, a partial cross-sectional view along the line 6--6of FIG. 4 is shown with the cartridge 14 fully inserted into themagazine 16 and in the loading position. The slot 42 in the cartridge 14is aligned with the loading pin 40 of the follower nut 32. The followernut 32 is driven by the lead screw 30 which is supported by the bracketand channel assembly 34. The lead screw 30 is driven by the drive pulley36 fixed to an end thereof which is in-turn driven by a drive belt 38.Thus, the cartridge 14 is in the load position with the loading pin 40positioned to pull/push the cartridge 14 as the lead screw 30 drives thefollower nut 32.

The sensor 90 and the retaining spring 92 are located on the rear edge88 of the magazine 16. The spring 92 is constructed and arranged toprovide a slight retaining force on the cartridge 14 which may be easilyovercome by the lead screw 30. The sloped sides of the spring 92 allowthe cartridge 14 to push the spring 92 into a recess 94 therebelow asthe cartridge 14 moves in either direction.

Referring to FIG. 7, a partially exploded isometric view of the magazine16 and the cartridge loading apparatus 28 is illustrated. The cartridgeretaining assembly 44 comprises a handle 96 fixed to the bar 46. Aspring 98 is attached between each end of the bar 46 and a portion ofthe sidewalls 68 and 70 of the magazine 16 to bias the bar 46 in thedirection of an arrow 100. Thus, when a cartridge 14 is inserted withinthe magazine 16, the bar 46 will normally secure the cartridge 14therein.

The cartridges 14 are slidably received within the magazine 16 withinthe guide channels 78. The sensors 90 indicate whether a cartridge 14 ispositioned within the magazine 16 and the retaining spring 92 assists inholding the cartridges 14 within the magazine 16 once loaded into themagazine carrier 18. A cutout 102 is formed through each protrusion 76and the bottom 74 of the magazine 16 to allow passage of the loading pin40 therethrough. Similarly, cutouts 104 are formed through theprotrusions 76 distal the cutouts 102 to allow movement of the magazine16 without interference from the pin 40 subsequent to loading acartridge 14.

One of the cartridges 14, for example, cartridge 14A is shown as beingpartially moved from the storage position as shown in phantom lines. Thepin 40 is within the slot 42 to pull/push the cartridge 14A as thefollower nut 32 is driven along the lead screw 30.

The lead screw 30 is driven by the motor 39 through the pulley 36 by thebelt 38. As the lead screw 30 is turned, the follower nut 32 is driventherealong. The bracket and channel assembly 34 has a first sidewall 84and a second sidewall 86 within which the follower nut 32 travels. Anotch 106 is formed in the first sidewall 84 proximate the pulley 36 toallow the follower nut 32 to be rotated out of contact with the magazine16 to allow insertion thereof into the magazine carrier 18 as well as toallow insertion of individual cartridges 14 into the magazine 16. Anotch 108 is similarly located at the opposite end of the assembly 34 inthe second wall 86 to allow the follower nut 32 to rotate the pin 40 outof contact with the cartridge 14A after loading thereof into an opticalreader 12, thus isolating the cartridge 14A from the mass loader 10.

A door 120 is rotatably attached by a friction clutch 121 to the end ofthe lead screw 30 distal the pulley 36. When the lead screw 30 is drivenin a clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow 122, the door 120 isrotated 90° in the clockwise direction 122. Thus, during loading of thecartridge 14A, the door 120 is rotated away from its normal positionblocking the entrance to the optical reader 12 as shown in FIG. 7. Afterremoval of the cartridge 14A, the door 120 is allowed to rotate 90° in acounter-clockwise direction by the lead screw 30 to block the entranceto the optical reader 12. The door 120 prevents the accidental insertionof a cartridge 14 into the reader 12 when loading the magazine 16 whileinstalled in the carrier 18.

The case 66 is provided with a lip (shown only partially at 65)projecting upwardly from the bottom 67 on an end distal the motor 39.The lip 65 may be formed by bending a portion of the bottom 67 upwardlyto provide a stop for all but the center cartridge 14 in the magazine16. A cut-out must be provided in the lip 65 to allow the cartridge 14in the loading position to be loaded into the reader 12 with the door120 providing a stop for the loading position cartridge 14 (unless thecartridge 14 is actually being loaded into the reader 12).

Referring to FIG. 8, the magazine 16 is positioned for insertion intothe magazine carrier 18 which has a general U-shape. The follower nut 32is rotated into the notch 106 to prevent the loading pin 40 fromobstructing the insertion of the magazine 16. Rails 110 on the magazine16 are placed into alignment with flanges 112 in the magazine carrier 18to insert the magazine 16 therein. Guide wheels 114 are provided alongthe flanges 112 to support and allow movement of the magazine 16. As themagazine 16 is inserted into the carrier 18, the pins 116 which areextensions of the bar 46 of the cartridge retaining assembly 44 comeinto contact with a portion of a magazine ejection assembly generallyidentified by the reference numeral 118, as will be subsequentlydescribed in greater detail. The assembly 118 lifts the pins 116 againsttheir downward bias to remove the bar 46 from the slot 48 in thecartridges 14. By removing the bar 46 from the slots 48, the followernut 32 and loading pin 40 may propel the cartridges 14 into the opticalreader 12.

Referring to FIG. 9, a view of the assembly 44 along the line 9--9 ofFIG. 8 is shown. The assembly 44 comprises the handle 96 fixed to thebar 46 by any appropriate method such as bolts 124. The pins 116 projectthrough the sidewalls 68 and 70 (only 68 shown) of the magazine 16. Thespring 98 normally biases the bar 46 downwardly as indicated by thearrow 100 in order to fit into the slots 48 in the cartridges 14. Uponengagement with a portion of the magazine ejection assembly 118, thepins 116 are pushed upwardly as indicated by an arrow 128 to release thecartridges 14 for loading into the reader 12.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, the magazineejection assembly 118 is shown in greater detail. Referring first toFIG. 10, a top slide 130 is positioned on a top surface 132 of themagazine carrier 18. The top slide 130 preferably comprises a generallyrigid, metallic substance and is formed with slots 134 therein. Theslots 134 are slidably received by pins 136 which are fixed to the topsurface 132. A handle 138 is provided to allow an operator to slide thetop slide 130 in a direction indicated by an arrow 140 along the slots134 from the normal position as shown in FIG. 10 to the position asshown in FIG. 11.

The normal position for the top slide 130 is maintained by a pair ofspring biased pivot arms 142. The pivot arms 142 press against L-Shapedprojections 144 on the top slide 130 due to a spring 146 (FIG. 11). Whenan operator pushes the handle 138 to slide the top slide 130 in thedirection 140, the projections 144 force the pivot arms 142 to pivotagainst the bias of the spring 146 into the position as shown in FIG.11.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the pivot arms 142 are shown in operation.FIG. 12 illustrates the normal spring biased position for the pivot arms142 (only one of which is shown). In the normal position, the pivot arm142 is in a generally vertical orientation about a pivot pin 153. Afirst arm 148 abuts and holds a spring loaded ejector 150 against slidepins 152 which are fixed to the carrier 18. A second arm 154 secures amagazine retaining pin 156 (see FIG. 8) by an extension 158 thereon.

The ejector 150 has slots 160 therein to allow sliding relative to thepins 152. The ejector 150 is biased in a direction indicated by arrow162 by a tension spring 164 fixed between the carrier 18 and aprotrusion 166 on the ejector 150. Due to the first arm 148 on the pivotarm 142, the ejector 150 is pushed against the bias of the spring 164into the pins 152 as shown in FIG. 12.

An ejector flange 167 is formed on an end of the ejector 150 distal thearm 148. The flange 167 extends outwardly with reference to the plane ofthe paper to contact a front edge 168 of the magazine carrier 16 whichwould also extend outwardly from the plane of the paper.

A cutout 170 in the pivot arm 142 is provided to receive the pins 116 ofthe bar 46. A sloped portion 172 allows the pins 116 to slide into thecutout 170 which is arranged to hold the bar 46 out of the slots 48 inthe cartridges 14 as previously described above. Thus, as the magazine16 is loaded into the carrier 18, the pins 116 hit the sloped surface172 and slide upwardly into the cutouts 170 to release the cartridges 14for loading into the reader 12.

To eject the magazine 16, an operator pushes the handle 138 in thedirection 140 (FIG. 13) to move the top slide 130 against the pivot arms142. The L-Shaped projections 144 force the pivot arms 142 to pivotabout their pivot pins 153 in a direction indicated by arrow 176. Thepivoting of the arms 142 causes the first arms 148 to move away from andrelease the ejectors 150. The ejectors 150 are thus free to slide in thedirection 162 along the slots 160 against the pins 152 due to thetension in the springs 164. Additionally, the pivoting of the arms 142causes the second arms 154 to release the magazine retaining pins 156.Thus, as the ejectors 150 slide in the direction 162 and the ejectorflanges 167 push against the front edge 168 of the magazine 16, themagazine 16 slides out of the carrier 18.

The ejector 150 remains in the spring biased position as shown in FIG.13 until the magazine 16 is reloaded. During the reloading process, thefront edges 168 of the magazine 16 push against the flanges 167 movingthe ejectors 150 into the position as shown in FIG. 12. The movement ofthe ejectors 150 allows the pivot arms 142 to pivot about pins 153 dueto the biasing of the springs 146 and lock the ejectors 150 by the firstarms 148. The pivoting of the pivot arms 142 also catches the retainingpins 156 between the second arms 154 and the extensions 158 as shown inFIG. 12 to lock the magazine 16 in place. The pivoting of the arms 142forces the top slide 130 into the position as shown in FIG. 12. As themagazine 16 approaches the fully inserted position, the pins 116 slideup the sloped portions 172 into the cutouts 170 to release thecartridges 14 from the arm 46. The mass loader 10 is thus loaded andready to reposition as required for the loading of cartridges 14 intothe reader 12.

In operation, at least one optical storage disk cartridge 14 is slidinto the magazine 16. The cartridge 14 fits within the opening 82between the protrusions 76 in the magazine 16. The cartridge retainingassembly 44 must be raised to allow each cartridge 14 to be fullyinserted into the magazine 16 and then lowered to lock the cartridge 14therein. The sensors 90 are provided in the magazine 16 to indicatewhether a cartridge 14 is present therein.

The magazine 16 is then loaded into the carrier 18 by matching the rails110 with the flanges 112. As the magazine is propelled into the carrier18, the rails 110 easily ride on the guide wheels 114. The magazine 16is firmly held in place by the second arm 154 and the magazine retainingpin 156. The bar 46 is removed from the slots 48 in the cartridges 14due to the action of the pins 116 against the sloped portions 172 of thepivot arms 142.

The magazine carrier 18 moves along the second lead screw 50 to positionthe proper cartridge 14 for loading into the reader 12. To load thecartridge 14, the first lead screw 30 is driven by the motor 39. As thelead screw 30 turns, the follower nut 32 travels therealong. Due to theloading pin 40 which is fixed to the follower nut 32, a cartridge 14 ispropelled into the reader 12.

Upon completion of the scanning of material stored within the cartridge14, the follower nut 32 and loading pin 40 pull the cartridge 14 fromthe reader 12 back into the magazine 16. Based on an electrical signalfrom an external source, the magazine 16 can then be moved by thecarrier 18 to place a different cartridge into the loading position overthe lead screw 30.

Thus, the present invention provides a relatively simple device thatallows the use of multiple disks without the need for an elevator. Themagazine herein described is removable from the mass loader allowingeasy transportability. Cartridges may be inserted into the magazinewhile the magazine is separated from the magazine carrier or whilehanging therefrom. Thus, magazines may be easily replaced as units,thereby increasing operational flexibility of the optical storage diskreader.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to aspecific preferred embodiment thereof, various changes and modificationsmay be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that thepresent invention encompass such changes and modifications as fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for storing, moving and loading a plurality ofdisk cartridges, comprising:a magazine for storing said plurality ofcartridges, comprising means for holding said cartridges in respectivelocations with a given orientation parallel to each other, means formoving said magazine in a direction transverse to said givenorientation, and loading and unloading means for moving a selected oneof said cartridges from its location in a direction parallel to saidgiven orientation, characterized in that said loading and unloadingmeans comprises a first lead screw having an axis extending in saiddirection, a first follower nut engaging said lead screw, means forlimiting rotation of said nut about said axis, and means for rotatingsaid lead screw about said axis in first and second opposite directionsof rotation for moving said nut parallel to said axis between a loadingand a loaded position, said means for limiting rotation comprises meansfor guiding said nut to be in approximately a given angular positionabout said axis while the nut is in positions between said loading andunloading positions, and means for permitting said nut to rotate aboutsaid axis to a first release position to one side of said given angularposition when the nut is in said loading position, and to a secondrelease position to the other side of said given angular position whenthe nut is in said loaded position, said nut further comprises means forengaging said selected cartridge while the nut is in said given angularposition, and for being free from engagement with said cartridge whilethe nut is in either release position, said lead screw being threaded insuch direction that, starting with the nut in said first releaseposition, rotation of the lead screw in the first direction of rotationrotates the nut to the given angular position, then moves the nutaxially to the loaded position, and then rotates the nut to the secondrelease position; and rotation of the lead screw in the second directionof rotation rotates the nut from the second release position to saidgiven angular position, then moves the nut to the loading position, andthen rotates the nut to the first release position.
 2. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that said means for guidingcomprises two walls extending parallel to said led screw for engagingsides of said nut, and said means of permitting comprises a respectivenotch in each wall.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcartridges are optical storage disk cartridges each containing a diskhaving a central axis,characterized in that said given orientation is avertical orientation, and said magazine comprises means for aligningsaid plurality of cartridges with their central axes coaxial when saidcartridges are in respective stored positions in said magazine, forloading a cartridge, said means for moving said magazine moves in adirection parallel to said central axes to dispose said selected one ofsaid cartridges above said nut while said nut is in said first releaseposition.
 4. An apparatus for storing and moving a plurality of opticalstorage disk cartridges, and loading them into a optical disk scanner,comprising:a magazine for storing said plurality of cartridges,comprising means for holding said cartridges in respective locations ina vertical orientation parallel to each other, means for moving saidmagazine in a direction transverse to said given orientation, andloading and unloading means for moving a selected one of said cartridgesfrom its location in said magazine into said optical scanner, in adirection parallel to said vertical orientation, comprising a first leadscrew having an axis extending in said direction, a first follower nutengaging said lead screw, means for limiting rotation of said nut aboutsaid axis, and means for rotating said lead screw about said axis infirst and second opposite directions of rotation for moving said nutparallel to said axis between a loading and a loaded position, saidmeans for limiting rotation comprising means for guiding said nut to bein approximately a given angular position about said axis while the nutis in positions between said loading and loaded positions, and means forpermitting said nut to rotate about said axis to a first releaseposition to one side of said given angular position when the nut is insaid loading position, and to a second release position to the otherside of said given angular position when the nut is in said loadedposition, said nut further comprising means for engaging said selectedcartridge while the nut is in said given angular position, and for beingfree from engagement with said cartridge while the nut is in eitherrelease position, and said lead screw being threaded in such directionthat, starting with the nut in said first release position, rotation ofthe led screw in the first direction of rotation rotates the nut to thegiven angular position to engage said selected cartridge, then moves thenut axially to the loaded position thereby loading the cartridge intosaid optical scanner, and then rotates the nut to the second releaseposition to release engagement of said cartridge; and rotation of thelead screw in the second direction of rotation rotates the nut from thesecond release position to said given angular position to engage saidcartridge in the optical scanner, then moves the nut to the loadingposition to withdraw the cartridge from the optical scanner back intothe magazine, and then rotates the nut to the first release position. 5.An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said means forguiding comprises two walls extending parallel to said lead screw forengaging sides of said nut, and said means for permitting comprises arespective notch in each wall.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5,characterized in that said means for engaging comprises a pin extendingradially outward from said nut,said cartridges have respective slotsalong lower edges thereof, and said magazine includes a respective slotbelow each cartridge extending parallel to said lead screw, and cutoutsextending transversely of each respective slot, for permitting passageof said pin as the nut rotates from the release positions to the givenangular position and is moved axially.
 7. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 4, characterized in that said means for engaging comprises a pinextending radially outward from said nut,said cartridges have respectiveslots along lower edges thereof, and said magazine includes a respectiveslot below each cartridge extending parallel to said lead screw, andcutouts extending transversely of each respective slot, for permittingpassage of said pin as the nut rotates from the release positions to thegiven angular position and is moved axially.